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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: November 4, 2022

Posted

Franklin G. Gornick
Franklin Guy Gornick, 73, longtime resident of Soudan, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in his home with family at his side. A family-directed celebration of life was held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Breitung Community Center. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Frank was born on July 8, 1949, in Biwabik, the son of Martin and Miriam (Sipola) Gornick. He was united in marriage to Jorgine Kregness on Feb. 1, 1975, in Tower.
Frank worked as a millwright for US Steel Minntac for 33 years. He was a member of the Breitung VFD, was a charter member of the Tower-Soudan Jaycees, the Vermilion Range Old Settlers Association, and he coached Little League baseball. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, picking blueberries, walking his dogs, and making his daily rounds.
Frank is survived by his wife, Jorgine; mother, Miriam Gornick; children, Nichole (Bryan) Chiabotti, Aaron Gornick and Jillian (Mike) Anderson, all of Soudan; father-in-law, Warren (Kathy) Kregness; siblings, Martin A. Gornick, Bernadette Hendrickson, Carmen (Robert) Dale and Dominique Schumacker; grandchildren, Bria (Chase Kleppe) Chiabotti, Jared Chiabotti, Jacie (Brandon Sersha) Lakoskey, Joey (Brant Boutto) Lakoskey, Kaden Gornick, Kaleb Gornick, Chloe Anderson and Jack Anderson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Barb (Steve) Burgess, Karen (Ward) Patterson and Scott (Marilyn) Kregness; nieces and nephews, Cheri (Dean) DeBeltz, Alaina (Dustin) George, Allison (Ryan) Harasyn, Brynn Patterson, Sean (Allie) Kregness, Sara (Steve) Colberg, Jerry Hendrickson, Troy Hendrickson, Tara Schumacker and Brianna Schumacker; and extended family friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Martin; and mother-in-law, Rena Kregness.

David O. Ukkola
David O. Ukkola, 73, of Sandy Township, passed away at home with his wife by his side on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. A celebration of life will take place at Range Funeral Home in Virginia on Friday, Nov. 18 with visitation at noon and the service at 1 p.m. Military Honors will follow.
David was born in Superior, Wis., on Aug. 23, 1949, and grew up on a small farm in Maple, the youngest of six children. He attended Northwestern High School and served in the Vietnam War from 1969-1971. After the war, his employer, US Steel, transferred him to the Iron Range to work at Minntac. He met the love of his life, Debbie, and became a father to two stepsons and fathered two daughters of his own, Stephanie, and Sarah, who was lost at birth.  
David was an outdoorsman, tending to his land, growing his garden, feeding the birds, picking berries, exploring the woods, hunting, trapping, fishing, or making repairs. He was proud to be a union member, working for US Steel for 35 years, before enjoying an early retirement at 54. He loved his Finnish heritage and enjoyed saunas, traditional meals and culture. He had a lot of sisu, bravely serving his country and later fighting cancer, never giving up hope. He was always thoughtful, choosing his words carefully before he spoke. He was optimistic, relaxed and full of joy.
David is survived by his wife, Debra Lords Ukkola; daughter, Stephanie Ukkola (Mack Swanson); stepsons, Joe Premo (Lindsay) and Jason Premo; brother, Gerald Ukkola; eight beloved grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Irene Ukkola; siblings, Gladys, Patsy, Arnold and James; and daughter, Sarah Ukkola.

Carl Stone
Carl Stone, 87, of Babbitt, a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at his home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Gary J. Metcalf
Gary Metcalf, 61, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Joyce B. Johnson
Joyce B. Johnson, 93, of Orr, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. There will be a private family interment at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Joyce was born in Fosston on June 24, 1929, to Roland “Bob” and Irene (Eidsvold) Agnew. She grew up on the farm in Fosston and was proud to be her dad’s best farmhand. Joyce was united in marriage to Elmer Johnson on Sept. 15, 1951, in Cook.
Joyce worked at Patten’s Café, The Glendale Inn and Mel’s IGA. She also worked hard at home for her family. Joyce had a natural talent and learned to be a seamstress, sewing many clothes, suits and dresses. She also upholstered, crocheted and quilted. She was a very good cook and made the best donuts. She always looked forward to visits by family and friends. Joyce was loved by her children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.
Joyce is survived by her children, Warren (Janine) Johnson, Wes (Tami) Johnson, Mary (Mike) Setzer and Lester (Kathy) Johnson; brother, Robert Agnew; sisters, Fran Gustason and Judy (Ken) Frazee; grandchildren, Amber, Bobby, Nichole, Dusty, Dallas, Shana, Kyle and Melinda; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; and brother, Gary.

Ann L. Sandys
Ann Lorraine Palo Sandys, 76, a lifelong Iron Range resident, originally of Soudan, died on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, in Essentia-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia.
She is survived by her daughter, Mandy Palo-Sandys of Aurora; grandchildren, Tyler Sandys and JulieAnna Sandys; siblings, Irene (Wendel) Wilson, Helen Huovinen and Melia (Anthony) Shikonya; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Donald R. Maroney
Donald R. Maroney, 87, of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A celebration of life and luncheon took place on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Babbitt Municipal Center. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Survivors include his wife, Florence Preblich Maroney; children, Sandy (Mike) Jaeger, Sharon (Brian) Hanson and Dave (Debbie) Maroney; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Gale (Rosie) and Roger (Pat); and sister, Ruth Auguston.

Clary W. Larson
Clary W. Larson, 88, of Ely, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.